Alex Jeppson

MATH 340.01
Sean Raleigh
1/22/2013
Mathematics: Invented or Discovered?
For centuries now, the debate on whether mathematics is invented or discovered has
raged on. Both sides of the argument have very valid points, based on a variety of things from
the vastness of the universe to a few simple definitions. In an approach to try to understand both
views, I will share some of the arguments and counter arguments from both sides. It is only after
that I will give my own opinion on the matter.
Some believe that mathematics is invented in the minds of men, that it is not all that
different from things like music or law. One mathematician, Dr. Ken Mellendorf, takes a logical
approach to prove that math is a work of man. He first defines what the terms discovered and
invented mean. He states that if something is discovered, then the thing always existed and if
something is invented, then the thing did not previously exist; someone created it (2012). He
then defines what mathematics is. Mathematics is a tool, a model. It is something that we can
use to describe or model parts of reality (Mellendorf, 2012). He then goes on to say that since
this tool did not exist before men, then, according to his previous definitions, mathematics must
have been invented. His final statement is that while math is invented, we are still discovering
how to use it. Another mathematician states a similar idea. He says We invent new kinds of
math by setting the rules of the game. After we have done this, we discover all kinds of
consequences that follow from these rules (Rick, 1999). Rick continues to explain by
comparing math to baseball. He says that while man invented baseball, that doesnt mean we can

do whatever we want in the game. We must follow the rules set in the creation of baseball; else
we would be playing a totally different sport. Being restricted by rules doesnt make the game its
own being; we still know men made it. It is argued that the same applies to math: there may be
rules, but we still invented it.
There are plenty of arguments against the theory that math is invented. For example,
some may ask if math is invented, why cannot a mathematician simply announce to the world
that he has invented [two plus two] to equal [five]? (Hill, 2008). Dr. Rick would reply it is
because two plus two equals five doesnt follow the rules. While this is an easier question to
answer, it still has a valid point as it goes to the basics of counting and brings us back to the main
question.
Others argue that mathematics is discovered by men. One observation that lends itself to
this theory is that math exists outside of anyones personal believes. As there are so many
personal beliefs in the world, it is quite remarkable that none can alter math. This is a strong
point in the case that math exists outside of men, and therefore we discovered it. Plato, the
founder of the Platonic notion, strongly believed in this notion that math is discovered.
Rehmeyer explains that the Platonic notion is that mathematics is the imperturbable structure
that underlies the very architecture of the universe (2008). What this means is that Plato
believed math to be the foundations of the universe. As the universe has existed much longer
than man, and expands far beyond our comprehension, then so too must mathematics.
Those who would argue against this idea would ask if mathematical truths are purely
discoverable, where, exactly, are you looking? (Hill, 2008). Additionally, if math is discovered,
then what once was a purely abstract notion then has to develop an existence unconceived of by
humans (Hill, 2008). On this same thought process then is the question, if a mathematical

theory goes undiscovered, does it truly exist? (Hill, 2008). These are unanswerable questions, as
they are based off of the unknown. So, while very good questions, they bring us no closer to the
answer of our first question.
While Ill acknowledge that the invention theory has some very good points, it is my
opinion that mathematics is discovered. It seems to make the most sense, when I think about how
vast the world is, and yet how consistent mathematics is. I think that Plato had it right; that math
is the skeleton on the universe. I believe that math has always existed and it goes far beyond
what our minds can comprehend. I think there are many other planets out there with beings like
us, and that their math is essentially similar to ours (they may have discovered more or less than
us). Believing all these things, it is only natural to think math is therefore discovered. I cannot, of
course, proof any of these ideas. They stem from my own religious beliefs, and so work on faith.
I believe that God, a greater being, created the universe using the laws of math and science, and
so I do not have a hard time believing math has existed long before us. This is why I firmly
believe that math is discovered.

References

Hill, J. (2008, April 28). The daily galaxy. Retrieved from

http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2008/04/is-mathematics.html
Mellendorf, K., Rupnik, R., & Calder, V. (2012, April).Math: invented or discovered. Retrieved
from http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/math99/math99117.html
Rehmeyer, J. (2008, April 25). Still debating with plato. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/31392/description/Still_debating_with_Plat
o
Rick. (1999, October 26). Math invented or discovered?. Retrieved from
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52340.html